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SB228

Alaska SB228: Opioid Awareness in Schools

Last scannedSep 22, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law requires the Department of Education and Early Development to create a curriculum on opioid abuse awareness for students in grades six through twelve, which school districts must teach annually.

What it does

  • Requires the Department of Education and Early Development to develop an opioid abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for students in grades six through 12.
  • Mandates at least 60 minutes of instruction annually covering dangers of opioids, fentanyl risks including drugs designed to look like candy, drug science, safe use of prescription medications, and early warning signs of addiction.
  • Directs school districts to teach this curriculum during or as close as practicable to the last week in October each year.
  • Requires officials to consult with the Department of Health, tribal entities, residents experienced in overdose response, and family members of individuals who have had an opioid overdose when building the curriculum.
  • Directs the Department of Health to propose using funds from a national opioid settlement to pay for developing this educational program.

Who it affects

  • Students in grades six through twelve attending public schools
  • School districts responsible for teaching the required lessons
  • The Department of Education and Early Development tasked with creating the curriculum
  • The Department of Health involved in proposing funding allocations

Limits and unknowns

  • The law does not specify an exact effective date in the provided text.
  • It is unclear if the committee will approve the proposal to use national opioid settlement funds for this program.
  • School districts must teach near the last week of October, but may adjust timing if that specific time is not practical.

Plain language

Terms to know

Opioid abuse or addiction
A physical or mental dependency on opioids, or a lack of self-control in using them that harms health or disrupts social and economic life.
Fentanyl risks for children
Dangers related to drugs containing fentanyl, including those designed to look like candy.
National opioid settlement funds
Money received by the state from a legal agreement regarding opioids that may be allocated to develop this curriculum.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text
Read the official summary

PUBLIC SCHOOLS; OPIOID AWARENESS PROGRAM An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; relating to public education; and relating to opioid abuse awareness and prevention.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE2365
  2. (S) FN2: ZERO(DOH)2365
  3. (S) FN1: (EED)2365
  4. (S) DP: TOBIN, YUNDT, STEVENS, KIEHL2365
  5. (S) EDC RPT CS 4DP NEW TITLE2365
  6. (S) Moved CSSB 228(EDC) Out of CommitteeText
  7. (S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  8. (S) Heard & HeldText
  9. (S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  10. (S) EDC, FIN1557
  11. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1557